Steven Maddox

Steven (Steve) Kotter Maddox our beloved husband, father, brother, employer, and friend, completed the final moments of his courageous battle with Lou Gehrig's disease at home, on Friday, October 25, 2013, surrounded by the love and prayers of his family. He passed on to a new life where this disease can never hurt him again. He was 65 years old. Steve was born November 12, 1947 in Brigham City, Utah to Wilma Marie Kotter and Irvin Benjamin Maddox. He was a graduate of Box Elder High School, and also graduated from Weber State College with a Bachelor of Science in Political Science. He served his country in the Navy for four years from 1970- 1974, where he worked as a journalist for the Master Chief Petty Officer of the Navy. In 1967, he married Judy Ann Merrell (divorced). From this marriage they had four children, John, Lisa, Irvin and Gabrielle. He then married Shirley Spencer (divorced). In 2003, he married Karen Faber West, his loving wife who survives him and cared selflessly for him during his illness. He was an active member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. He enjoyed racing cars, flying airplanes, and gazing at stars. He would say that he felt closest to his Father in Heaven when studying the work of His hands through a telescope. More than anywhere else on earth, Dad's home was Maddox Ranch House, where he grew up and learned the restaurant business from the masters, his parents Irv and Wilma. He began by washing dishes at 8 years old to eventually succeeding his Dad as President and CEO at the age of 40. During his career at Maddox, he developed several new recipes and business models, and the restaurant thrived under his leadership. Without question, the highlight of his career was the chance to build close relationships with family and friends, as they worked side by side for decades, guiding the restaurant ship through many a storm. He was beloved by his employees and known by all to be kind, generous, and dedicated to excellence. He used to say that it "lowered his blood pressure" to be at Maddox. He loved his business and the people he worked with more than he could express. Like a character from a great piece of literature, Dad was complex, unpredictable, and imperfect, but he won us all over by his warmth and enthusiasm, the way his voice and smile could light up a room, the interest he showed in others, and his compassion. He was the pillar of strength for his family. He was the one we would lean on in times of crisis, and he was always there for us when we needed him. We struggle to imagine life without him, but we will carry on by following his example and taking care of each other. We do not wish this experience of ALS on any family, but we acknowledge that it has indeed been a blessing to serve him as he served us and be able to demonstrate our love to him while he was suffering from this disease. We would like to specifically thank two exemplary people, Cora Minneboo, his caregiver, and Sheri Easley, his nurse, who gave not only their time and skill, but also their hearts to serve Steve in his hour of greatest need. We can never repay them for what they have done for our family. In lieu of flowers, we would like to request donations to the ALS Guardian Angels organization, a charity founded for the sole purpose of providing assistance to families who are struggling with the significant financial burdens of ALS. Donations can be made online at alsguardianangels.com Surviving are his wife, Karen; four children: John (Michelle) Maddox; Lisa (Jeff) Sedlak; Irvin (Donna) Maddox; Gabrielle (Sky) Faber; step children: Joshua (Jamie) West; Jessica (Khalid) Ballouli; Jordan (Kamri) West; Jennilyn (Christopher) Plowman; Cary (Halie) Spencer; Gary (Mindy) Spencer; 10 grandchildren and four siblings, Lynn and Doyle Maddox; Gale (DeRevo) Maddox and Jolene Babcock Strawn. He was preceded in death by his parents and one brother, Donald Maddox. Funeral services will be held on Tuesday, October 29, 2013 at 11:00 a.m. at the Willard Stake Center, 8280 South Highway 89. A public viewing will be held only on Monday from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. at Gillies Funeral Chapel, 634 East 200 South, Brigham City, Utah. Interment will be in the Ben Lomond Cemetery in North Ogden, Utah, where military honors will be accorded by the Box Elder Combined Veterans Honor Guard.